Hearts full of aspiration

As a person with a disability and one of the support members for the competition, when I recall that day, the emotions and nostalgia remain vivid within me. I clearly remember the image of the participants with disabilities bustling around, preparing for the final touches to ensure an impressive performance on stage. From early morning, members of the cultural teams from various districts and towns had already arrived to get ready for their performances. I could feel their excitement, anticipation, as well as the nervousness and worries among my fellow participants with disabilities.

This was the first cultural and arts competition for persons with disabilities organized by the Association of Persons with Disabilities, Agent Orange Victims, Disability Support, and Child Rights Protection of Quảng Trị province in collaboration with ACDC. It was also the first time that participants with disabilities stood on a large, grand provincial stage, performed in front of a crowd, and wore traditional áo dài and khăn đóng while singing folk verses and melodies of their homeland.

To arrive at today’s competition, the participants devoted immense effort to planning, selecting performances, and practicing day and night. Though scattered across different locations, each with varying disabilities and circumstances, and some still carrying feelings of insecurity and self-doubt, they encouraged one another and persevered in their rehearsals to bring the best songs and performances to the audience.

The competition time had finally arrived, and the performances were presented one after another according to the order drawn beforehand. Each act showcased meticulous preparation and dedication, with the participants pouring all their talent and passion into every performance. Gone were the feelings of insecurity, shame, and hesitation; instead, radiant faces full of confidence shone brightly under the stage lights. The exhausting days of rehearsal were now rewarded with moments of exhilaration on stage, accompanied by the applause, cheers, and encouragement of the audience.

Those who were present at the competition that day will find it hard to forget the graceful dance performances by the participants with disabilities. Despite relying on crutches, they momentarily set aside their mobility challenges to shine brilliantly in beautiful costumes, delivering dances full of passion and elegance. Equally unforgettable was the performance by the participants from the two mountainous districts of Hướng Hóa and Đakrông. Dressed in traditional attire and using ethnic Bru Van Kieu props, they delivered a confident and spirited performance on stage.

Nine teams from nine districts and towns presented 18 performances featuring a diverse range of themes - from honoring the great President Ho Chi Minh, praising the Party, homeland, and country, to topics on independent living and gender-based violence. I was particularly impressed by the original compositions and performances from the districts of Vinh Linh, Dakrong, and Trieu Phong. These performances truly touched the hearts of the audience present that day - not only through their songs but also through the powerful messages aligned with the theme of 'Together for Access and Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities' on April 18th.

The competition concluded with great success, and the judging panel selected outstanding performances to receive awards. However, to me, every team that participated today is a winner, because the persons with disabilities who took part have triumphed over themselves, overcoming geographical and personal challenges to confidently express themselves on stage. They all demonstrated their abilities, breaking through societal prejudices and barriers to embody the desire for independent living and social integration through ‘Hearts Full of Aspiration’ - which is precisely the theme of this year’s competition!